Current Affairs

Issue

The OneWeb Company has recently launched 36 satellites to complete a constellation of 218 satellites to relay internet service to Earth.

Background

Providing internet service from satellites is considered to be future concept that will enable all-round access across the globe.

Details

The satellites will be place in low-earth orbit and will offer internet connectivity to all regions north of 50 degrees latitude under the ’Five to 50’ service.

OneWeb

• OneWeb is a communication company that is planning to provide internet through satellites using a fleet of Low Earth Orbit satellites.

• The company had declared bankruptcy but was revived after a consortium of companies lent the money for continuing its project.

• The satellites are manufactured with help of Airbus and launched by French company Arianespace using Soyuz rockets.

Low Earth Orbit technology

• The satellites will be placed around 500km-2000km from earth. Due to their position, they can provide stronger signals and faster speeds.

• The technology requires large fleet of satellites as a single satellite cannot be stationary. Thus, the initial capital cost is very high among all three mediums of internet technology.

• Satellite internet companies target rural populations and military units where optical fibres cannot be positioned.

Criticism of Low Earth Orbit technology

• Satellites present in space can create difficulties for astronomers making important observations and studies.

• The project can increase the amount of space junk. It may result in space accidents in future that can cause losses.